Fruit and vegetable pulping machine



(I. E. STEERE. FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PULPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 21. I917- Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

C.. E. STEERE.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PULPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, I9IT- Pqtented Aug. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

C. E. STEERE. TRUIT AND VEGETABLE PULPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21,1917.

Ptented Aug. 17,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. STEERE, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY 'SGAR-BOROUGH, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PULPING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

Application filed February 21, 1917. Serial No. 149,991.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE E. STEERE, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and resident of Milwaukee, Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement inFruit and VegetablePulping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved fruit and vegetable pulping machine,and the obj ect of my invention is to provide a machine of thischaracter which will be simple, durable and reliable in construction andeffective and eflicient in operation.

Other objects of my invention will appear hereinafter.

My invention consistsin the features of novelty exemplified by theconstruction, combination and arrangements of parts hereinafterdescribed, shown in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly setforth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 1 Figure l is a top plan view ofa pulping machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, the drumbeing shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line H of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5' is a transverse sectional. view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the drum showing spirallydisposed instead of tapered ribs.

It has been the practice in pulping fruits and vegetables to crush orpress or literally beat the whole fruit or vegetable in order to recoverthe desirable parts of the solid and fluid contents thereof, andseparate therefrom the refuse" or undesirable portions, such as stems,seed and skins. But these methods are wasteful, the resulting pulpnonuniform in character, extremely slow and in fact highly ineflicient.Where beating is employed a large proportion of desirable pulp remainswith and isthrown away with skin and seeds as refuse because oftheinherent inability of this method to recover all of the pulp. In thepressing or crushing methods the pressure cannot be suflicient tosqueeze out all the pulp without also crushing the stems and seeds andthereby affecting the flavor of the pulp. 011 the other hand, if thepressure is such as to avoid crushing seeds and stems it is insuflicientto obtain all of the pulp and hence results in considerable waste. Myinvention is designed to avoid these objections and to improve themethod of and apparatus for pulping fruits and vegetables in a highlyefficient manner, from the standpoint not only of avoiding waste but ofuniformity of product and elimination of seeds and stems and the flavorsthereof. My purpose also is to materially increase the pulp output; infact to recover all of the pulp and leave nothing but dry refuse. Itwill be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art after havingobtained an understanding of my invention from the disclosures hereinmade, that the principles and functions of my invention are applicableto various uses and applications in the reduction or production of pulpfrom fruits and vegetables, and the structure shown in the drawings isintended to illustrate the application of these principles andfunctions.

The structure shown in the drawings is vertically disposed so as tooccupy a minimum amount of floor space. It has a cylindrical hollowcasing or shell A which is supported. by a frame consisting of a basemember or plate B and four legs B connected at their lower ends by crossbars B to prevent spreading of the legs and give rigidity to thestructure. This shell or casing forms a container for the internalworking parts and also as a splash board and collector for the pulp. Thepulp or juice of course falls or settles to the bottom of the casing anddrains off through a suitable opening A in the base member B, this basemember forming the bottom of said casing. This bottom member has twoconcentrically disposed flanges B The outer flange forms a shoulderagainst which the bottom edge of the casing A is removably positionedand the casing is held in place by a similarly flanged clamping ringBremdvably positioned at the upper edge of the shell or casing. Thisclamping ring is retained by a numberof vertical rods 13 extendingthrough lugs 13 projecting from the base member and clamping ring.Clamping nuts are screwed onto the end of these rods l municating withthis opening.

for applying suitable clamping pressure. Thus a structure is providedwhich mav be completely disassembled for the purpose OI thoroughlycleaning the parts and for repairs. The upper end of the casing isprovided with a suitable cover member D which is hinged at D to theupper frame ring 13* so that the cover may be raised and lowered toprovide access to the interior )I :he mechanism. This cover, as shownelearlv in Fig. 2, is clamped in its closed position ov several clampingbolts and nuts D these bolts being pivoted at D to lugs on the framering B and operate 1n :orlred or slotted projections oh the edge or thecover member. The cover member has a substantially triangular opening Dthrough which the material to be pulped is fed. a .iopper D beingmounted on the cover ind :om-

Tithin the casing and spaced from the wall thereof is a cylindricalconcentrically iisposed 2CD- arator or sorting screen E which 1s open atboth ends. The lower end is removaolv supported on and retained in placeagainst the shoulder formed by the inner flange 5 Hi the base member.the screen being disposed against the inner side of the ilange so thatthe flange will resist any tendencv io nstortion of the screen under thestrains to which it is subjected. The upper end or the screen fitswithin and is held in place ")V means of an annular groove E in me undersurface of the cover member. Thus the screen or separator is firmly aeld.n olace and rendered rigid and strong. .low-

ever, it may be very readilv .(EIDOYQQ tor cleaning or other purposes.The over member when raised releases the separator member and permits itto be lifted iirectlv out of the casing. The separator :L or course, ofthe proper mesh or provided with the proper sized openings to serve thepurpose of any particular conditions inder which the machine isoperated. Tn fact the purpose in making the screen so readilv removableis to enable screens or separators having various sized mesh or openingsto be used for these particular conditions. Its function is to separatethe refuse or residue from the desirable portions or )lllD. In fact itpermits all of the lQSll'ilDlG pulp matter to pass through and restrainsthe passage of the skin. seeds and stems. driini G is positioned within:his screen. This drum is cylindrical in shape ind preferably hollow soas not to make it 'Ul llllV heavy. It is concentrically disposed withinbut spaced from said screen or separator. The drum is completely closedat 'ioth ends by means of the upper and lower heads i which arepreferably cast integraiiv .UQI'C with. These heads also have OTlUfllliiips is fastened and by which it is rotated. The

.ower end )I the shaft is iournaled in a searing i formed 1n the centerof the base member 13 and between the lower drum head i ind this hearing1 includes a plurality 'JI hearing rings 1 for the purpose of reire aweand substantial so as to properly ithstand the comparativelv high speedsat lllCll the lluln 1s rotated. The upper end r ine snai't has i sociretll in which lils .116 reduced end or a screw or bolt H in the over:nember. :he *entral portion or the over member X31115 provided with anup- -ILZIDCUIIQ 0088 to provide a long hole or open- .ng ".nto winch thescrew is threaded and in which .t is idiustable. This forms asuntlntlzll ipper tearing which is separable :rom ine sllzlIt vnen thecover is raised. The irurn .s orererablv :arefiilly balanced o is ".o'U'Olel. all 1DlZ1I1lOI1S incident to the oinparativeiv iiigh speed atwhich it is ro 'ated. -n this structure the rotation is im- :arted tothe 1111111 shaft hv means of a set t 111E621 rears l, iisposed beneaththe botoni rnember or .he :rame. )ne of the gears s :astened to he .owerend of the shaft Tl ind :he other rear 1s rastened to a hori- ;ontalshalt J UlClI .s oiiriialed in suitiple )QlllllQS :orined ;n the legs Bof the frame. .-t .ts inter end this shaft carries L .arge oullev a"lllell inav be driven from inv llltlDlG source if "JOWQl through thenediiini ii 1 161B. The ilDDGl head of the rum .5 spaced )GLOW .116cover member and :i .lllS space .5 ocated l circular plate or member 14or he saine iiameter rotated by did it the same speed is the drum. thedrivna" -onnection JGEWGQH the plate and drum einn" tormed )Y i shearoin L which is iii- :QlIQll through suitable openings in both the lateind the :iead 'lI he druiii. This acts 15 1t saretv lCVlCQ to prevent inui'y or dainige ".O the machine n the event that a nail r piece ot stoneshould accidentally be fed nto he machine is s irteii the ease in.zandling large quantities or fruits and vegetables to ac pulped. n theevent that this IOlQlLKl substance should lock or jani the :late or hindit 1n anv manner. so as to prent .ts rotation. the shear pin will givear 1nd "verniit he slate to remain idle dtnoun'h :iot :iterierine withthe rotation f he iruni. The late iias on its inper ide 1 series 1utters or ribs .\l which in his tructure ire fllllhllY disposed andubstantiailv "ectanguiar .11 cross section. These IDS xtend from :he huhievoiill I10 ieripherv r the hate. and when ro- 311041 it i onipletelvllfi'll rate oi' speed. ass eneath he .lODDGl opening 111 the ovei ;ndperate is .{DIVOS or uiters to .lOD in or iinelv 'ut ihc fruit oregetables -ed :to he nachine. The centrifugal force applied by reason ofthe rotation to this comminuted material instantly throws it to theperiphery of the plate where it passes into the space between the drumand the separator screen. .The material works downwardly between theseparator screen and the periphery of the drum, this action beingbrought about by two influences, one of which is gravity and'the otherof which is a plurality of. tapered ribs Gr longitudinally disposed onthe surface of the ,drum. These ribs being slightly tapered down--wardly, operate to gradually move the body of material downwardly duringthe rotation of the drum. These ribs, however, instead of being taperedmay be spirally or angularly disposed on the drum for this purpose, asshown in Fig. 7. These ribs are preferably equally spacedapart at adistance equal to the spacing of the ribs M at the periphery of theplate so that they will coincide with the cutter ribs M and in a sense,constitute continuations of the cutter ribs M down along the surface ofthe drum. These ribs preferably just clear the inner surface of theseparator screen avoiding actual contact with said separator screen butthey form, in a sense, cells or pockets on the periphery of the drum inwhich cells the material is retained so that the rotation of the framealso imparts rotation to the material. As the material moves downwardlyalong the drum the intense centrifugal force exerted on this materialoperates to violently throw the material from the surface and throughthe separator member. The separator, however, retards the stems, skinand seeds and the effect of the centrifugal force is to remove all ofthe pulp and juice leaving nothing but the skin, stem and seeds in aremarkably dry condition. This refuse gradually works down into thespace between the drum and screen and drops into a chamber N formedinthe base member B. The refuse is finally discharged through an openingN in the wall of this chamber. A- suitable funnel or chute N may be usedto convey the refuse wherever desired. The chamber N is kept clear ofrefuse by-means of a vane N carried by the lower drum head and whichoperates to sweep around the chamber and carry all refuse toward thedischarge opening N In order to keep the separator clean and prevent anyofthe refuse, and particularly the skins of the fruit or vegetables fromclinging thereto, I provide a series of longitudinal brushes P on thedrum which are adapted to sweep around the interior surface of theseparator during the rotation of the drum. In this structure I providetwo groups of these brushes positioned diametrically opposite on thedrum. These extend preferably longitudinally of the drum and arepreferably removable for renewal or cleaning. In this case the bristlesare carried in a suitable backing P which may be removably dove-I tailedin correspondingly formed longitudi-i nal grooves in the surface of thedrum for this purpose.

I claim:

1. The combination of a separating member, a rotary mechanism havingcarriers for bodilyrotating the material to centrifugally force itthrough said separating member,

and a crusher rotating with said rotary raminous separator screen, arotary drum positioned within and spaced circumferentially from saidscreen for centrifugally forcing the material through said screen, meansat the upper end of the drum for crushing the material and feeding it tothe space between the drum and screen, a casing for collecting the pulppassing through the screen, and means for cleaning the screen.

4. The combination of a rotary drum having means arranged to carry thematerial bodily with the drum and subject the material to the action ofcentrifugal force, a crusher at the upper end of the drum for supplyingmaterial to said drum, a separator embracing said drum and arranged toretard a portion of the material and to permit the passage therethroughof the remaining portion of the material thrown from saidrotary drum,and means carr ed on the periphery of the drum for wiping the separatorto remove said remaining portion.

5. The combination of a rotary cylinder, I

a separator screen concentric with and spaced from the periphery of saiddrum,

means on the periphery of the cylinder operating in the space betweenthe cyllnder and screen to carry the material bodily w th the cylinderand impart centrifugal action to the material, crushing mechanism on theupper" head of the drum for finely dividing the material and feeding itto the peripheral carrying means on the cylinder. V v 6. A machine forseparating the juices and pulp of crushed food products comprising acylindrical screen, a rotary cyllnder disposed within and concentricwith respect to the screen to provide an annular space between itsperiphery and the screen. the opposed surfaces of the cylinder andscreen being. longitudinally straight. means for feeding said materialto said annular space. and longitudinally extending means on theperiphery of the cylinder adapted to retain work material on theperiphery of the cylinder against relative rotation whereby the materialis bodily rotated with the cylinder to impart centrifugal force theretofor causing portions of the material to pass through the screen, saidcentrifugal force being uniform throughout the extent of the cylinder.

7. The combination or' an upright cylinder having a plurality )fsubstantially longitudinal channels on 1ts peripher wherein to carry thematerial rotarilv with the cylinder. a screen concentrically "lisposedwith respect to said cylinder. for restricting portions of the materialagainst centrifugal action and permitting other portions to pass throughthe screen. a hopper. substantially radial ribs on the upper end of saidcylinder for radially iistributing the material to the peripheralchannels or said cylinder.

8. The combination of an upright cylinder screen, a rotary cylindersubstantially fitting Within said screen and having a plurality ofsubstantially longitudinal channels on its periphery for rotativelycarrying the material, but in which the material may move downwardly bygravity. a casing inclosing said screen and forming a splash board forthe liquids which pass through said screen, a cap member spaced from theupper end of the cylinder and having a feed opening, a plurality ofsubstantially radial ribs moving with the c linder and substantiallyfittingthe space between said cylinder and cap member for comminutingthe material which enters the opening and distributing said material bycentrifugal force to the cylinder channels. and means at the lower endof the casing for separately collecting the liquids and refuse.

9. The combination or an upright cylinder screen, a rotary cylindersubstantially fitting within said screen and having a plurality ofsubstantially longitudinal channels on its periphery for rotativelycarrying the material but in which the material may move downwardly bygravity. a casing inclosing said screen and forming a splash board forthe liquids which pass through said screen, a cap member spaced from theupper end of the cylinder and having a feed opening, a plurality ofsubstantially radial ribs moving with the cylinder and ,substantiallyfitting the space between said cylinder and cap member for comminutingthe material which enters the opening and distributing said material bycentrifugal force to the cylinder channels. means at the :OWQI end orthe casing for separately col- .ecting the liquids and refuse. andwipers JIl the periphery or said cylinder for cleanmg the screen.

.1. A machine for separating the juices tIlQ pulp of crushed foodproducts comprisng a casing, an 'ipright stationary cylinlrical screen1n the casing and secured at ts ends thereto. a rotary cylinder disposedithin and concentric with respect to the screen to provide an annularspace between ts periphery ind the screen. means for 'eeding material tosaid annular space, and means on the c linder engageable with maierialin the annular space to retain the material on the periphery of thecylinder lgainst relative rotation whereby the inaierial is bodilyrotated with the cylinder to moan centrifugal force to the material for*allSlDQ ortions thereof to pass through .116 screen under centrifugalforce.

The combination of a stationary upright cylindrical screen and anupright roiarv irum disposed concentrically within said screen. andhaving on its periphery a alurality of lDIlglll; channels for bodilytIIVlIlQ' the material rotatably with the lrum said channels beingarranged so that he material moves downwardly therein as he drumrotates. a crushing and feeding levice horizontally disposed at theupper %I1(1 or said drum for crushing the material ind centrifugallyfeeding it to the upper nds of said channels. and a casing surroundingsaid screen.

The combination of a stationary upright cylindrical screen. and anupright roiarv irum disposed concentrically within said screen andhaving on its periphery a dluralitv of channels for carrying the ina-:erial rotatablv with the drum in close proxlIlllEV to said screen saidchannels being arranged so that the material moves downvardly therein bygravity as the drum ro- :ates. a crushing device embodying a pluralityor radial ribs on the upper head of me drum acting to crush the materialand listribute it to the upper ends of the channels. and a cylindricalupright casing surrounding said screen.

3. A centrifugal crusher and separator :omprising an outer casing, acylindrical screen therein. a cylindrical member within said screen andspaced therefrom, a cen- :rifugal feeding device at one end of said:vlindrical member adapted to receive and :rush material and feed thesame to the 'Jeriphery of the cylinder and means upon said cylindricalmember operative to carry said material and centrifugally move the sametorward through said screen.

7 .l. The combination of a separating meni- :ner. a rotary mechanismhaving carriers for moving the material in iuxtaposition to saidseparating member for separating the material, and a crusher rotatingwith said rotar mechanism for crushing the material an supplying saidcrushed material radially outwardly to said rotary mechanism.

15. The combination of a separating member, a rotary mechanism havingcarriers for moving material in justaposition to said separating memberfor separating said material, and a crusher rotating with said rotarymechanism and disposed radially inwardly of the receiving portions ofthe carriers for crushing the material and supplying said material bysaid centrifugal action to the carriers.

16. The combination of member, a rotary crusher disposed above theseparating member, and carriers extending from the periphery of thecrusher and being a separating adapted to receive Work material directlyfrom the crusher, said crusher being rotatable therewith for movingmaterial in juxtaposition to the separator for separating said material.

17 The combination of a stationary separating screeen, a rotary crusherdisposed above the separating screen, and carriers I extending from theperiphery of the crusher and bein adapted to receive Work materialdirectly irom the crusher, said crusher being rotatable therewith formoving material in juxtaposition to the separating screen for separatingsaid material.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 31st day of January, 1917.

CLARENCE E. STEERE.

